Minutes 8 September 2020
A virtual meeting of the above-named Parish Council held on Tuesday 8th September 2020 at 7.30pm
using Zoom as the internet meeting tool. The meeting was held in two parts, being forty minutes in duration each, with a ten-minute break in between.
Present: – Cllr’s. S. Bastock, S. Cheetham, D Harding, and J. Holtom (Chairman), Cllr. S. Cheetham
Also, in attendance, five members of the public together with the Clerk
DRAFT minutes
01/09/20 The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting
Open Public Participation Session
02/09/20 Police Report
There was no report given but the police email report had been circulated earlier and the points noted
03/09/20 County Council Report
County Councillor A Davis Arrived after item 13/09/20 and gave her report then: –
She reported by stating 90% of pupils have returned to school in the County during the first week back.
That the Covid 19 caused 42 cases in Devon during the last week three of which were in North Devon. She asked for all members of the public to be vigilant during this growing Covid 19 crisis
The North Devon link road was having tree surgery to deal with the died or dying Ash trees and that the road would be closed at nights later in November. Notices will be erected
Cllr. Davis requested that all members of the public report potholes or other road problems through the Devon County Council website pages and not on social media. The website gets checked daily
04/09/20 District Council Report
Although District Councillor J Patrinos was not at the meeting he asked the Chairman to announce that a business grant was available in Lynton up to £100,000
05/09/20 Exmoor National Park Authority update
The Chairman stated that because of the cuts from central government the ENPA were looking at varies ways to raise money by investigating possible revenue from planning applications, car parking and looking at pre planning applications.
Closed Council session
06/09/20 To receive apologies for absence
Cllr. H Bloore, District Councillor J Patrinos and PCSO Grace
07/09/20 Declarations of Member’s Interests
Cllr. Holtom voiced his interest in 12/09/20 as a membership of the Community Trust
08/09/20 To approve and to sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 4th August 2020
The minutes were signed by the Clerk after all agreed they were correct
09/09/20 Matters arising
Cllr Harding stated that she will update at the next meeting the plaque on the tree for Jemma and Tim Holland
10/09/20 Casual vacancy for Parish Councillor
No progress was made
11/09/20 Possible merger with Trentishoe Parish update
The Clerk reported that he had received one email from a parishioner that he would circulate to the Members – Action Clerk
12/09/20 Parracombe Community Trust
/1 Progress on the village shop
Cllr. Austin said that the share offer had been launched and that £31,000 had been pledged which is 22% of the required figure
/2 Community share investment
All members were agreed, in principle, of a pledge, by the Parish Council, of £12.000. Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr. S Bastock. It was agreed to ring-fence these funds until such a time came for them to be used. The Clerk was asked to write an explanation letter to the website and noticeboards to explain what the Parish Council had in mind – Action Clerk
/3 Affordable housing project
The chairman reported that they had received three sets of draft plans from different architects and there will be a meeting with each submitting architect. The community will be engaged as much as possible in this process
/4 Village Hall
It was reported that the hall had now reopened but concern was raised about the leaking roof
13/09/20 Planning applications – new (5)
/1 62/50/20/010
Location: COURT PLACE FARM, PARRACOMBE, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4RJ
Proposal: Proposed alterations to studio (part retrospective)
The Council felt this was a reasonable use of the outbuilding but were once again sorry that this application was part retrospective. The Council are happy that this application proceeds according to policy
/2 62/50/20/011LB (Listed Building Consent)
Location: COURT PLACE FARM, PARRACOMBE, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4RJ
Proposal: Listed Building Consent for alterations to studio (part retrospective).
The Council felt this was a reasonable use of the outbuilding but were once again sorry that this application was part retrospective. The Council are happy that this application proceeds according to policy
/3 WTCA 20/08
Location: PENCOMBE HOUSE, PARRACOMBE, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4PE
Proposal: Works to trees in Conservation Area Crown reduction T1 and remove T2 to ground level
The Parish Council agreed to support this application on safety grounds and the necessity for the work to take place
/4 WTCA 20/09
Location: IVY COTTAGE, PARRACOMBE, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4RJ
Proposal: Works to Trees in Conservation Area: Removal of five Leylandii conifer trees to promote two beech trees growing next to them and to relieve excessive shading.
The Parish Council agreed to support this application on safety grounds and the necessity for the work to take place
/5 WTCA 20/10
Location: SOUTH HILL HOUSE, PARRACOMBE, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4PE
Proposal: Works to Trees in Conservation Area: Ash (T1) – removal of 60cm stem diameter showing advanced die back Ash (T2) – removal of 45cm stem diameter showing advanced die back Ash (T3) – remove lower limbs overhanging garden with signs of die back Oak (T4) (Quercus Ilex) crown reduction to reduce height, shading and stress on split stem
Cllr. Austin voiced his interest in this item and took no further part during the discussion save but to explain the need for felling of the trees.
The Parish Council agreed to support this application on safety grounds and the necessity for the work to take place
Pending or resolved by ENPA (3)
/6 62/50/19/013
Rowley Moor Farm, Parracombe, Devon
Proposed conversion of stables to one Local Needs Affordable dwelling. – Under consideration by Officers
/7 62/50/20/004
Location: Land in Field to the North of the A39 West of Holwell Wood, and Land on Access track to Rowley Barton. Proposal: Proposed reinstatement of railway line, creation of cutting and embankment previously removed together with new railway bridge. (amendment to approved application ref 62/50/16/001) – Registered.Not yet decided
/8 62/50/20/006
Location: Land to the North West of Holworthy Farm, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4RL
Proposed Succession Farm Workers dwelling and farm office (Amended description) – Approved with conditions
The three above applications were noted
County Councillor Davis left the meeting
14/09/20 Finance:
/1 Additional payments made since the last notification of the Agenda: –
Clark salary for June & July £ 239.04 – Cheque
EDF Energy Estimated pavilion invoice £ 39.73 – Bank Transfer
A Cut Above Grass cutting £ 170.00 – Bank Transfer
A Cut Above Grass cutting £ 340.00 – Bank Transfer
/2 Financial report from the Clerk
The Clerk reported that the annual insurance for the hall was due (£574.54) It was agreed that the Clerk would send the invoice to Cllr. Austin for the village hall approvement to pay – Action Clerk & Cllr. Austin
/3 Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2019/20 Part 2
The Clerk reported the situation with the External auditors and the necessity to complete the forms as soon as possible. To this end it was agreed to send the form to the Chairman for signing and he in turn would pass it on to the Internal auditor for signing. The Clerk would collect from her and sign and post off. – Action Chairman and Clerk
/4 NALC pay awards April 2020
It was proposed by Cllr. Bastock, seconded by the Chairman and carried unanimously that the Clerk pay increase would be in line with NALC awards
15/09/20 Roles and Responsibilities – Reports if warranted
/1 PROWS: Footpaths & Bridleways:
Nothing to report
/2 Highways: Signage/Drains/potholes and surfaces:
It was agreed to put on the village website a link to DCC reporting defects page -Action Cllr. Austin
/3 Trees and Playing field equipment:
Cllr. Bastock reported that some play items had now been decommissioned but this left a bare concrete base. Discussion took place and it was agreed to leave the bases until such time as work started on the new shop and perhaps diggers then could remove them. The Clerk reported that he had heard that the chain link climbing frame was in a dangerous condition and Cllr. Bastock offered to check. – Action Cllr. Bastock
/4 Emergency Planning and Snow warden:
Nothing to report
/5 Liaison with school and Church:
Cllr. Harding reported that Lynton church had now reopened but Parracombe still remains closed
/6 Website and publicity, communications:
As above
/7 Liaison with PCT:
As above
/8 Planning noting applications contact for affected parties and applicants & LPA
As above
/9 Finance:
As above
/10 Human resources:
Nothing to report
16/09/20 Speed signs on wheelie bins
Cllr. Harding reported that the signs had now arrived, and discussion took place as to distribution. It was agreed to publicise the availability
17/09/20 Strategic review/aims and objectives
To be left to the next meeting
18/09/20 Parish Council Logo
It was agreed to publish on the website to invite people to design a logo if they wished – Action Cllr Austin
19/09/20 Scheme of Delegation
Cllr. Harding offered to complete this task and email to all Councillors to be discussed at the next meeting – Action Cllr. Harding
20/09/20 Correspondence
Nothing to report
21/09/20 To confirm the date of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as: – Tuesday 6th October 2020
22/09/20 Items for the next agenda
Nil, but concern was voiced at the change of sign at Heddon Valley Inn. The Chairman agreed to speak to The National Park Authority – Action Chairman
The meeting closed at 20.56
